Why Is This Important?

''Campylobacter'' is one of the most common bacterial causes of diarrheal illness in the United States. Most cases occur as isolated, sporadic events, and not as a part of a large outbreak. The majority of those infected will experience symptoms within 2-5 days after exposure to the bacteria; this may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The illness typically lasts one week, but may be prolonged in some individuals and relapse can occur. Long-term complications are rare, but include reactive arthritis and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. All age groups can be infected by ''Campylobacter'' bacteria. The infection is acquired by eating or drinking food contaminated with ''Campylobacter'' bacteria. Illness may also be spread by direct contact with an infected person or animal. Improperly cooked poultry, untreated water, and unpasteurized (raw) milk are the main sources of infection.

Chart

Data Table

Number of Reported Campylobacter Infections per 100,000 Population by Year, Utah, 1996-2015

Data Notes

Notes

The Utah rates are derived from Utah annual surveillance reports. Utah 2015 rates are preliminary and subject to change.

Data Sources

Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology

Population Estimates: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) through a collaborative agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau, IBIS Version 2015

Population Estimates: Utah Governor's Office of Planning and Budget

Data Interpretation Issues

The rate reported is the number of cases in Utah per 100,000 population per year.

Other Views

Health Indicator Definition

Definition

Campylobacteriosis is an infectious disease that is a leading cause of acute diarrheal illness worldwide. Symptoms can range from no symptoms to severe bloody diarrhea with symptoms similar to acute appendicitis. However, the most common symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain, malaise, fever, nausea, and vomiting. It is caused by a motile, gram negative bacteria of the genus ''Campylobacter''.

Numerator

Number of culture-confirmed cases of campylobacteriosis and probable cases reported in Utah each year.

Denominator

Total Utah population per year.

Health Objectives and Targets

Healthy People Objective FS-1.1:

Other Objectives

Other Healthy People 2020 Objectives related to ''Campylobacter'':
*FS-2: Reduce the number of outbreak-associated infections associated with food commodity groups (beef, dairy, fruits and nuts, leafy vegetables, and poultry).
*FS-3: Prevent an increase in the proportion of non-typhoidal ''Salmonella'' and ''Campylobacter jejuni'' isolates from humans that are resistant to antimicrobial drugs.
*FS-5: Increase the proportion of consumers who follow key food safety practices.
*FS-6: Increase the proportion of fast-food and full service restaurants that follow food safety practices that prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.

Current Outlook

How Are We Doing?

Campylobacteriosis became a reportable disease in Utah in 1983. Increases in number of cases per 100,000 population reported annually since 1983 may be due to better reporting and improved laboratory detection methods. The U.S. target for 2020 is 8.5 per 100,000 population per year. In 2014, the Utah rate was 18.9 cases per 100,000 person-years, which is higher than the 5-year average (2010-2014) of 15.3 cases per 100,000 person-years. This increase was due to a single, large outbreak associated with raw milk consumption. The high rate from 2014 has dropped back down to 14.4 cases per 100,000 person-years in the year since the outbreak has ended.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Active surveillance through FoodNet indicates that 13.6 cases are diagnosed each year for each 100,000 persons in the U.S. population. Many more cases go undiagnosed or unreported, and campylobacteriosis is estimated to affect over 2.4 million persons every year in the U.S., or 0.8% of the population. Children under the age of 5 years are disproportionately affected by the disease, with an incidence rate of 24.4 cases diagnosed each year per 100,000 persons in the U.S. population. Campylobacteriosis is now a nationally notifiable disease.

Health Improvement

What Is Being Done?

Per the Communicable Disease Rule R386-702-3, health care providers and laboratories are required to report cases of ''Campylobacter'' to the Bureau of Epidemiology or a local health department. The Communicable Disease Epidemiology Program assists local health departments with the investigation of cases and outbreaks and implementation of control measures to prevent further cases.
Local health departments make an attempt to interview every case of campylobacteriosis reported to public health. Information gathered during these interviews includes food history, water exposure, animal exposure, outdoor exposure, travel history, and contact with ill individuals. Data from these interviews are analyzed and used to identify outbreaks and common sources of infection. In addition, patients are provided with information on high risk exposures and how to prevent future campylobacteriosis infection in themselves and their families.
Some general guidelines to prevent the spread of ''Campylobacter'' include the following:
*Always refrigerate meat products. Never leave raw meat at room temperature.
*Always cook meat completely.
*Always cook raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs well.
*Avoid using unpasteurized milk.
*Carefully wash hands before and after preparing food.
*Always wash hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet or changing diapers and make sure children wash their hands especially after using the toilet or handling pets.
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Visit [http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/] for proper hand washing technique.

Available Services

Foodborne disease outbreaks and other outbreaks are investigated primarily by local health departments in collaboration with the Utah Department of Health as needed.[[br]]
[http://www.ualhd.org/]

Utah DOH

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